A women’s roller derby league in suburban New York has thrust itself into the national discussion over the rights of transgender athletes.

They zip around the rink, armed with helmets, pads and mouthguards. They push, bump and occasionally crash out as they jostle for position on the hardwood floor.

But for the women of the Long Island Roller Rebels, their biggest battle is taking place outside the suburban strip-mall roller rink where they’re girding for the upcoming roller derby season.

The nearly 20-year-old amateur league is suing a county leader over an executive order meant to prevent women’s and girl’s leagues and teams with transgender players from using county-run parks and fields. The league’s legal effort, backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, has thrust it into the national discussion over the rights of transgender athletes.

Amanda Urena, the league’s vice president, said there was never any question the group would take a stand.

“The whole point of derby has been to be this thing where people feel welcome,” said the 32-year-old Long Island native, who competes as “Curly Fry” and identifies as queer, at a recent practice at United Skates of America in Seaford. “We want trans women to know that we want you to come play with us, and we’ll do our very best to keep fighting and making sure that this is a safe space for you to play.”

  • BreakDecks@lemmy.mlEnglish
    51·
    9 months ago

    I can’t control what private groups want to do, and I can’t force them to change eligibility requirements.

    Yes you can. We have many laws protecting groups from discrimination. That’s why you can’t legally discriminate against people by race/ethnicity, sex/gender, or disability.

    It sounds to me like you don’t respect the idea of LGBTQ+ people being part of a protected class.

    • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
      21·
      9 months ago

      It sounds to me like you don’t respect the idea of LGBTQ+ people being part of a protected class.

      It sounds to me like you’re going out of your way to selectively interpret what I said to create an argument.

      I am not empowered to enforce the law, and I have no legal standing to sue for discrimination. I also can’t stop thieves or murderers, but that doesn’t mean I condone those crimes, either.

      • BreakDecks@lemmy.mlEnglish
        11·
        9 months ago

        Sorry, I assumed you lived in a democratic country and were stating that there was no way anyone could ever be obligated not to discriminate. Assuming you live somewhere where you have zero ability to influence change, your original post makes more sense, and doesn’t read like a tacit endorsement of the current status quo against trans people.